20 March 2013
Harriett Baldwin MP is planning to meet with the chief executive of Worcestershire Health and Care Trust over reports that Community Hospitals are being threatened with bed closures. The issue will be the top item in meeting with Sarah Dugan which is currently scheduled for next month. The MP has three community hospitals in her constituency which provide valuable care to local people. Malvern and Pershore have community hospitals and Tenbury’s hospital has undergone significant improvement work to provide extra beds state-of-the-art facilities for patients. Harriett commented: “My constituents do value being treated in their own home where possible. “What concerns me about this report as I think the Community Hospitals are often a good location for a transition from the Acute Hospital, before patients are able to return home. “I would want to ensure that the Community hospitals are working in a joined-up way with the Acute hospitals and GPs as part of the Joint Services Review to ensure that there is an easy transition to our community hospitals and that these wonderful community beds are fully used. “I will be meeting with the Chief Executive as soon as possible to discuss this.”